Julius fischer



(No Model.)

WITNESSES wazmmw 2 SheetsSheet 1.

J. FISCHER.

EXPANSIBLE LIFE BOAT.

Patented Aug. 24, 1886.

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; ATTOR N E Y i n. PETERS. Pnuwmm mr, wnhinm n. c.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 (No Model.)

J. FISCHER. BXPANSIBLE LIFE BOAT.

Patented Aug. 24, 1886.

W W h w M ,HW 7 n J M WWW um W 2 ww w INVENTOR WVVITNESSES 2 V ATTORNEYSNv PETERS. FhDlO-Ulhogflpher. Wanhington, EC.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JULIUS FISCHER, OF VASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

EXPANS IBLE Ll FE- BOAT.

ZBPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 348,158, dated August24, 1886.

Application filed April 16, 1885. Serial No. 162,471. (No model.)Patented in Belgium December 31, 1884.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J ULIUs'FIsoHEa, a subject of the Emperor ofGermany, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Life-Boats;and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being badto the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figu res of referencemarked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure lot the drawings is a representation ofthisinvention,and is avertical section. Fig. 2 is a side view as hung on the davits. Fig. 3 isalso a side view, and shows the boat in an upright position. Fig. 4 is adetail view to show the joint of the elbow.

This invention has. relation to life-saving boats; and it consists inthe construction and novel arrangement of devices, all as hereinafterset forth, and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, theletter A designates the bottom of theboat or tloat. B is the top plate,which is connected to the bottom bythe elbows (1, which are jointed at D, this 3' oint being astop-joint,preventing thearm from closing in so far as to prevent them from readilybending outward when necessary. The bottom is also connected to the topplate by the flexible covering E, which forms the wall of the vessel.The upper ends of the upper arms, a, of the elbow are pivoted to the topplate at its marginal portion, and the lower ends of the lower arms, b,of said elbows are pivoted to the bottom at or near its margin. Theseelbows are radially arranged if the vessel is circular, and if oblongthey are arranged to conform with such shape. The bottom of the boat isusually constructed with independent compartments, 0, in which airisinclosed. The arms a I) are usually made hollow between the ends, sothat they will possess buoyancy and can be used to serve as floats forsaving life in case the boat should be broken up. The rudders or rudder,indicated at F, are geared to the bottom, their shafts passing throughthe same, and they are operated by a handle inside the main chamber G.There is also usually provided a propeller, H, which may be geared to beoperated bya crank, K, or other common device for such purpose. Amast,L, may also be provided, and so stepped in the base that it may passthrough an opening in the top plate. A suitable sail canbe arranged inconnection with the mast. It is designed to provideaboat having a topand bottom connected by flexible side walls supported by elbows orelbow-ribs, said side walls capable of expansion when the ribs are bentoutward, and of elongation when the ribs are drawn endwise into positionapproximating straight lines, said ribs being, however, held, when inelongated position, a little bent outwardly by the stop-jointconstrnction heretofore referred to.

Secured to the base or bottom A is a strong post, P, usually consistingof four or more guides, N, which are connected at their upper ends bythe collar m in a strong and secure manner. Upon this collar the topplate rests when the boat-bod y is in expanded form. Through this collarand through an opening, (Z, of similar form, in the plate B, extends theslide-frame or sliding entrance V, having lateral openings, 0, and atop, g, provided with a valve, h, closing an opening, is, in said top.At the lower end of this slide are provided pulleys l for the ropes r,said ropes being fastened by one end each to the top plate and extending downward around the pulleys and upward on the inside of theframe through the top thereof to the out-side, where they are .securedtogether and provided with a ring or block for attachment to one of thedavits of the ship. The bottom of the boat is provided with a rope orchain connection to be attached to the other davit, so that when theboat is elongated it can be swung between the davits in horizontalposition, and there will occupy but little' room comparatively.

In order to use the boat, it is detached at the bottom end from thedavit and swung downward, so that it hangs by the ropes r from the otherdavit. The body will expand, the top plate sliding downward'on theguides N of the slide-frame until it rests on the collar of the post P.The entrance-opening of the slideframe will now be exposed, and thepassengers can enter,either climbing through the entrance and down aladder, s, in the interior of the boat, or, ifnecessary, passed into theentrance by means of a canvas chute. Then the pas sengers are in, theboat is to be detached from the davit from which it hangs,and,restingupon the water, the slide will descend into the interior until its topportion engages the top plate of the boat, closing the opening therein.The slide can then be secured in position by an inside fastening. Afterthis, other passengers can enter through the opening in the top of theslideway. A trap-valve, z, is provided in the top for the admissionofair. It is bell-shaped, and has a guard-trough, 15, designed to catchany water or spray which may enter and dis charge the same throughopenings in the bottom of said trough. The position of the hell or domeshaped protector a is maintained by its stem, which is provided with ahandle and spring, so that when it is found necessary to close the valvein very rough water, the bellguard can be pulled down in close contactwith the trough-guard. Openings for air are indicated at v. To admit agreater quantity of air, the valve or lid It can be raised from theinside. In smoother water the slide can be raised for greaterventilation and for lookout purposes. The bottom A is usually providedwith compartment A, for provisions and water. To the lower arms of theribs are attached by hinges or pivots the seats, which preferablyconsist of hinged arms, B, adapted to fold upward, and seat-webbingprovided with pockets to receive said arms. Loops, of leather or canvas,D, are also attached to the elbows, and serve to enable the passengersto steady themselves.

This boat may have a convex, oval, polygonal, or other shape, as may befound desirable. It is ballasted by the construction of the bottom andcannot become upset. It is buoyshaped, and will always right itself. Itcan be expanded and closed in elongated form, after the manner of anumbrella, as hereinbefore indicated. The flexible covering of the bodyportion should be made with a strong network and water-proof cloth andwith inside and outside covering of india-rubber or gutta-percha.

In the boat-shaped form illustrated plates may be used in the sides, andthese plates may be provided with glazed sights, as at E. in other formsof this boat the sights may be made in the upper portion of the slide.

The great rapidity and ease with which the boat can be launched and theentire security from surroundings will be readily appreciated. It isapparent that it is partially launched automatically, or by the weightof the boat itscl f when its bottom is detached from the davit.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A life-boat consisting of a bottom, a top plate, and jointed ribsconnecting the bottom and top plate, substantially as specified.

2. An automaticallyexpanding and self-closing life-boat having a topplate connected to its bottom by jointed ribs and covered with flexiblematerial to form an inclosu re, substantially as specified.

3. A life-boat having hollow ribs,which are adapted to serve theadditional function of life-preservers in case of destruction to theboat, as set forth.

4. A life-boat consisting of a base, a top plate, jointed ribsconnecting the same, a flexible covering, and a tubular slide passingthrough the said top, substantially as speci fied.

5. A life-boat having an expanding body, a top plate provided with anentrance, a slide, and ropes connecting the slide with the top plate,substantially as specified.

6. A life-boat having its top plate provided with an aperture, anentrance slide arranged therein, and a trap-ventilator arranged on thesaid slide, substantially as specified.

7. A life-boat having expanding sides, a top plate, a base provided witha propeller, and

driving mechanism, and joint-ed ribs connect- JULIUS FISCHER.

\Vitnesses:

ERNST FISCHER, PHILIP O. llIASI.

